Mansfield firefighter promoted to lieutenant

Dan Crow on Tuesday was promoted to the rank of lieutenant at Mansfield Fire Department. Administering the oath of office is Dave Remy, human resources director for the City of Mansfield.(Photo: Lou Whitmire/News Journal)Buy Photo

MANSFIELD - Dan Crow was in full dress uniform Tuesday at the city's main fire station No. 1 on West Third Street.

Crow, 35, of Lexington, was front and center as he was promoted to lieutenant before a packed room of colleagues joined by Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker and friends and family.

In 2014, the city promoted nine firefighters to lieutenant, the first time the city has had that rank. Previously, there was no level between firefighters and captains.

Before the promotion, Mansfield fire Chief Steve Strickling gave a speech in which he lauded Crow.

"It's fun when we get to promote someone," Strickling said. "It's good to see Dan's name appear at the top of the promotion list. He's going to be a very valuable asset for the department and is probably going to be one of the leaders for sometime to come."

Human resources director Dave Remy administered the oath of office.

Crow's wife Carla pinned on his badge as their 4-year-old daughter Isabelle, joined them during the ceremony.

Crow, who hails from Cleveland, said he will miss the crew he has worked for the past four years at Station 1.

He joined the fire department 12 years ago.

Crow said he always knew he wanted to become a firefighter. He said he went to Oberlin College and while there started looking for jobs and found one in Mansfield.

"I took a test and this was the one and only test I took and they called me back right away," he said. "It's been fun."

A member of the Fun Center Chordsmen, Crow joked he may have to talk with the rest of the group and find a song that firefighters can rehearse and perform, when asked about his singing hobby.

"We'll have to figure something out," he said with a laugh.

He said he is looking forward to his new responsibilities.

"We were very close and had a lot of good times together, so it's a little bittersweet," he said. "At least for my first year or so I'll be a floater, so I'll fill vacant spots as they come."

His duties as lieutenant include overseeing a fire station.

"An engine company and a rescue squad are the way most of our stations operate, so the lieutenant for the day would be responsible for not only that station and the personnel, but for the entire district that they cover and anything that happens within that district," he said, before a red and white sheet cake was cut and enjoyed to celebrate the occasion.